German diplomat probed over alleged assault during dog-bite row

A German Embassy official in Seoul has been questioned over an alleged assault against a conglomerate owner’s wife and son, the police said on Monday.

The official allegedly pushed and kicked the son during an argument after the diplomat’s dog bit the woman in a park last Thursday, according to the police in Yongsan.

The police said the diplomat was strolling around Namsan Park in central Seoul with his dog at the time.

The 72-year-old victim was identified as the wife of the head of one of Korea’s largest construction-based conglomerates.

She reportedly told police that the dog suddenly ran up and bit her in the arm. As her son tried to stop the dog with an umbrella, the dog owner allegedly pushed back and kicked him.

Reports said the wife went to the hospital after the incident, though the injury was not serious.

The German Embassy couldn’t be reached by The Korea Herald for comment. An official from the business group admitted to the involvement of the wife of the chaebol head, but declined to comment further.

He said to The Korea Herald, “We see the case as a personal matter and have no plan to make comment about it.”

It is not clear whether the police will further investigate the case as the dog owner is entitled to diplomatic immunity.